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Morro Reatino: A Medieval Castrum Overlooking the Velino Valley
At 745 metres above sea level, on a rocky spur overlooking the Velino valley, Morro Reatino preserves intact the structure of a medieval castrum. The houses wind in concentric circles around the remains of the castle, enclosed between walls with Guelph battlements and towers — both round and square — that recall the village's former role as a defensive outpost. In 1152, Labro donated it to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in exchange for protection against the Normans. From here, the border between the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples was kept under watch.
The Madonna Mozzapiedi
The Church of San Lorenzo Martire houses a fresco dating from 1480, tied to a local legend: during a night-time raid, the Virgin is said to have appeared and severed the feet of the attackers, sending them tumbling from the hill. The women of the village commissioned the painting in thanksgiving — hence the name Madonna Mozzapiedi ("Madonna Who Cut Off Feet"). Inside the church, a Roman funerary urn has been repurposed as a baptismal font.
Forests, Hermitages, and Pilgrimage Routes
In the locality of Coste Lignano stands the Hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo (Saint Michael the Archangel), surrounded by chestnut groves and oaks. The territory traversed by the Cammino di Francesco (Way of Saint Francis) and the Cammino di Benedetto (Way of Saint Benedict) abounds in wild mushrooms, truffles, and chestnuts. In mid-August, the Sagra della Pizzola celebrates the local fried bread dough — served sweet or savoury — that is a speciality of the village.
